Mr. B. L. Lakshmipathy, Headmaster, ICF Higher Secondary School, Mr. R. Soundarapandian, Assistant Headmaster, Sir M.Ct. M. Higher Secondary School, Purasawalkam and Mrs. Minibabu, an expert counsellor, were among the experts who interacted with Everwin School’s board exam students recently.

For the 300-plus Tenth and Higher Secondary students of Everwin Matriculation Higher Secondary School, it was much more than a ‘just-in-school’ day. They could get a bountiful of ideas from the experts as to how they could score the best in their public exams.

Mr. Lakshmipathy and Mr. Soundarapandian, the former well experienced in conducting board exams and the latter an author of text books in higher secondary, dwelt in length about how to present answers, how to impress those doing the valuation and how to prepare for the board exams.

Mrs. Minibabu touched on the psychological factors governing a student while getting ready for board exams.

Mr. B. Purushothaman, school Principal welcomed the expert speakers and assured the students that the school will organise many more programmes for their benefits.

Summary of points discussed

1. That ‘First impression is the best impression’ is a befitting statement in examination parlour. The evaluating teacher has neither the time nor the patience to scan every word or sentence. So, just by the turn of the first few pages of answer papers, he /she arrives at a conclusion as to how good a student is. Based only on this impression, he/she moves further. So, it is very important for the students to present accurate answers with a slow and good handwriting at least on the first few pages.

2. Handwriting and time do not go hand in hand. It is tough task to write more number of pages with a better handwriting. If you can’t boast of a good handwriting, never be bothered. Legible writing - without overwriting and frequent strikeouts - is as good as the beautiful handwriting. As already said, ensure good writing on the first few pages and then accelerate to cope with the time factor.

3. Margin may not be magic, but it certainly weighs in the minds of evaluating teacher. If there is no preprinted margin on your answer paper, draw it to a measurement of 4 cm in width. Better write the question number inside the margin, though there is no total agreement on this.

4. Putting the question number alone will not suffice. It in fact irritates the valuer. So, give a headline as to what the answer is about. For example, in Physics for the question, ‘What are the properties of sound?’, the answer has to begin with the headline ‘Properties of Sound’. Simply putting the question number and writing the answers without a title makes the valuing person consult the question paper to find what you have written about. Will it not irritate him/her?

5. Underlining the headings and subheadings is a must. Straight underlining for headings and curved underlining for subheadings can be given. Separate pen with ink of different colour should be used for underlining.

6. Don’t bid good-bye for unknown questions on a platter. Give it a try, if you are running short of choices. After all, empty pages will not be evaluated. The partly-right answers may get you some marks. But we reiterate that this can be done on the last pages and in the last minutes.

7. Draw a line, preferably with a sketch pen, in between answers.